Shut off while driving, now it has an intermittent starting issue?

Tiny
SEATTLEVALUED
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD BRONCO
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
Vehicle sat for some time (1 year give or take). Prior to it sitting, we did a whole tune up, valve cover gaskets, coil, spark plugs, wires.

Okay. I'm all the way lost, and don't want to just throw parts at the truck. So initially, I would drive, and it would just shut off while either on the freeway or on a regular city street. I could turn it right back on, usually no problem. Unless I was moving fast, I would have to pull over, get it to a complete stop, or barely moving, and it would restart up, first turn.

Changed the Fuel Filter.

Then, the next day, it got worse. It took me 30 minutes to start it up. Got it going no problem, started driving and it cut off 6 times in 1 mile. Then, it became harder to start each time. So, I turned around and went home. Parked. Tried starting again, a whine/drag continued with key turned. All the hard starting burned out the starter.

Replaced starter, new cables, solenoid,

Well, same hard, no starting. When it does want to start, I have to hold the key cause I can hear it's trying to start but needs a little more push. Eventually it will start. But it will only idle, if I push the gas pedal, it will cut right off. Can only start it with key, no pedal action.

Now I'm thinking it's the fuel pump. But before I get there.I test the fuel pressure. 0. So, I changed the Fuel Pressure regulator. I gave the tool back, so I actually never tested the pressure after that. But still the same problem.

Changed the Fuel Pump itself.

Alright. Well, no change really. Still the same situation. Can hear the pump, switched out relays, if it starts, it drags and will eventually kick in. Hit the pedal and it cuts right off. Still a hard start.

So, I'm all the way confused. And I'm not sure where to look from here. Anything will help. Please and Thank you in advance. Oh, yes, I did get the Ignition Control Module, but I have to get a tool to remove it from the housing. Some say that could be it.

Oh yes, I did pull codes. The only one that came up was a 636. That sounds like it has something to do with the transmission. So far, I'm not having any problems with that. But will that have anything to do with my problem? It would be a surprise. But I'm used to spark / fuel. Anything helps, it's older and shouldn't be too difficult.

Thank you in advance.
Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 AT 4:44 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,389 POSTS
Yep, this is what I want you to do, when it is cranking and not starting use a little starting fluid into the intake to see if that changes things and makes the engine run. Also, when it does run does it run okay?

This guide may help us as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

I would think it would be a weak fuel pump, but you say you replaced it. I have seen a leaky fuel pressure regulator cause this issue as well. Please remove the vacuum line and check for fuel if so, the regulator is bad and needs replacement. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, December 21st, 2023 AT 5:46 PM

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